QISS would like to extend a “Xin Nian Kuai Le!” to all our families and friends. We would like to wish everyone happiness and prosperity. We hope you are able to spend quality time with your family and stay in good health during the holiday.

As a reminder, QISS offices and classes will be closed from Feb. 11th to Feb. 25th. We look forward to seeing all our amazing students on Feb. 26th.

温馨提示：我们的春节假期将于2月11号开始到2月25号结束。期待2月26号与您相聚！

본교는 음력설로 인하여 2월11일 부터 25일까지 방학입니다. 2월26일부터 정상 등교함을 알려드립니다.

SCHOOL LIFE

On Thursday, QISS celebrated its China Day with song, dance and fun skits. The show was organized by our Chinese staff, and they gave us a show to remember. The performers of all grade levels and staff members had outstanding performances that had the audience cheering for more.

Grade 6 – In Art, Ms. Stephanie had the students practicing painting in unconventional ways to improve the communication between their brain and their hands. Some of the methods used: non-dominant hand, feet, mouth, and painting with a very long stick.

This week is the final week before our Spring Festival Holiday. We invite all our parents and family to our China Day celebration in the QISS auditorium this Thursday, Feb 8th from 1:00 – 3:30pm. The students and staff have been preparing for weeks to put on a fantastic show.

The After School Activities Program (ASAP) begins tomorrow and will be each Tuesday & Thursday until May 10th. Students are dismissed and buses will depart at 4:30pm. Kindergarten classes will dismiss and buses will depart at 3:15pm.

This past weekend, the QISS Sharks basketball teams traveled to the ACAMIS Beijing Tournament. The student athletes played well and represented QISS with class. The boys’ team was awarded with the “Sportsmanship” trophy for their conduct on and off the court. They now look forward to competing at the annual QISN tournament in March.

Last week was the QISS “Festival of Words”. During this annual week-long festival, all students display their essays, poetry, short stories, and a wide variety of other published works celebrating the written word. In addition, speeches, spelling bees, and language games were held throughout the week.

PEP Talk is coming, tomorrow, January 30th. This month’s topic is “A Closer Look at the United States College Application Process”. See the flyer for more details.

本期PEP TALK 将于1月30日，也就是明天举行。本次主题是“近距离观察美国大学申请过程”。更多信息请见传单。

이번 펩톡은 1월30일에 내일입니다. 이번 달 주제는 “미국대학 진학과정의 이해” 입니다. 안내문을 참고하시기 바랍니다.

The Language Resource Center (LRC) will be starting on February 5th as well. See flyer for more details. For more information, please contact Lower School ELL specialist, Julie Kanel at jkanelqiss@yahoo.com

QISS MUN students spent the previous weekend in Shanghai attending the CISS MUN. Ms. Jenny says this year’s trip was definitely one to remember. Throughout the weekend, our students debated some of the most complex and challenging issues we face in the 21st century. The growth in public speaking, complex problem solving skills, as well as critical thinking skills, was evident in all our delegates. In addition, students were given the invaluable opportunity to listen to influential speakers and key humanitarians such as Kim Phuc, Ishmael Beah and Peter Dalglish.

Grade 4 – In Coach J’s PE class, students are learning the joys of playing team sports such as kickball.

Grade 4 – 体育课上，学生们正在体会像踢球这样的团队运动带来的乐趣。

Grade 4 – 체육시간에 학생들이 킥볼을 배우고 있습니다.

Grade 6 Science – Ms. Goodman’s class was making a large scale compass in order to make a small scale model of the sun. The students then used this information to compare the size differences of each of the celestial bodies within our solar system.

This week, QISS welcomed over 30 selected educators and officials from the Qingdao City Bureau of Education into our building for a week-long workshop on international education best practices embraced by the QISS community. QISS teachers and students continued their normal schedule and routines without any interruptions. The initial feedback from these English teachers has been positive. Many have commented on the professionalism of our teachers, their dedication to children and hard work each day to help the students be successful.

It is flu season. Please remind your children to wash hands regularly and to not share drinks and food with others. As a reminder, if your child has a fever, please keep them home. Our school nurse checks temperatures every day as well.

The Language Resource Center (LRC) will be starting on February 6th as well. See flyer for more details. For more information, please contact Lower School ELL specialist, Julie Kanel at jkanelqiss@yahoo.com

In Mr. Solomon’s music class was examining how different material effects the timbre or tone color we are trying to create sound. Harder materials have a higher vibration and create more resonance, yielding a fuller sound.

On January 16, 2018, members of the QISS PTA Executive Board visited the Women’s & Children’s Hospital of Qingdao. Because of so many generous hearts in the QISS school community, the PTA raised 20,000 RMB to donate to two well deserving young children to help cover the medical costs of their heart surgeries.

Again, the PTA would like to thank all the parents, friends, staff and community for their donations at the annual QISS Winter Gala. As a school community we pledge to teach our students the gift of giving to those in need. We want to be exemplary models of showing compassion and sensitivity for others.

Personally, I would like to thank all the members of the Winter Gala committee, and the PTA Executive Board for showing courage and vitality throughout the planning and execution of the Gala. It takes courage to help others in need, and it takes hard work and careful planning to make such a special event a success. It has been an honor working side by side with you this year as your PTA liaison. – J’Bill Merrick, Admissions & School Development Coordinator

This is the official blog of Qingdao No.1 International School of Shandong Province. We hope to share important news, information, updates and knowledge about education to the QISS community and the world.